The Blues Blogger

Inside the Car

I was anxiously tapping my fingers on the steering wheel… My wife waved to her mother who was looking out the front window alongside our son and dog. Often the challenges of everyday life make it hard to configure moments alone with your spouse. It had been a while since we had an evening to ourselves and we were giddy like two high school kids. Glancing at the side view mirror, I was cautioned not to make our eagerness too evident. Just then my foot floored the accelerator and we squealed away leaving behind a gust of dust that signified our escape.

As we got outside the city, I placed Robert Cray’s latest release This Time in the CD player. Both my wife and I always enjoyed Cray’s music and have seen him in concert several times. Glancing through the album last week, I knew we were both in for a treat… The overcast sky and the off again on again rain didn’t play a negative factor. As we continued to breeze down the soggy road, Cray’s new album would act as the soundtrack to our getaway. It set the tone beautifully.

The opening track “Chicken in the Kitchen” gets things off to a great start with a funky blues groove. Things slow down a bit with the ballad I Can’t Fail before kicking it up with the soulful Love 2009. Yes, his first release in five years was sounding great, and the smooth energetic feel continued on songs like That’s What Keeps Me Rockin.’ (easily my favorite tune on this new record.) I always knew Cray had a great voice, but it really shines this time around. I was getting hooked as Cray’s guitar playing along with Jim Pugh’s keyboards generated some really dazzling exchanges. Some of the more poignant songs like To Be True, the title track This Time and the closer Truce help give a nice balance that covers not only blues, but blends soul, R&B and other music genres with cool vibrant ease.

Robert Cray

was born Aug 1, 1953 in Columbus Georgia, and started playing guitar in his teens. He was inspired to form his own band after seeing performances of some of his idols like Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters. While growing up Cray also discovered his father’s record collection, further fueling his love for blues and several other music genres. Teaming up with friend and bassist Richard Cousins, they began playing college towns on the West Coast. This would eventually lead to an invite by Albert Collins to perform as his backing unit.

“Blues is one of the foundations of our music, but it’s not all that we play,” Cray says. “When I first started playing guitar, I wanted to be George Harrison – that is, until I heard Jimi Hendrix. After that, I wanted to be Albert Collins and Buddy Guy and B.B. King. And then there are singers like O.V. Wright and Bobby Blue Bland. It’s all mixed up in there.”

Since then Cray has released 17 award winning multi-platinum albums, received 13 Grammy nominations and performed thousands of sold-out shows worldwide. He even had an unaccredited role as a bassist in a scene from National Lampoons Animal House in 1978.

Recently reuniting with Cousins for the first time since his departure in 1991, Cray seems to have come full circle through a road filled with many amazing accomplishments. The reunion of Cousins and Pugh with the addition of veteran drummer Tony Braunagel, whose past experience with Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’ and B.B. King solidified the current band and helped create some tasty new material. Cray, who also produced This Time for his imprint label Nozzle Records and distributed by Vanguard Records, has managed to capture some wonderful moments on this recording. I highly recommend getting a copy, it may very well make your day that much brighter.

Several Hours Passed

as we approached our destination, it barely felt like 60 minutes. We unpacked and immediately took in the seclusion away from the lights and sometimes aggravating sounds of summer in the city. We hiked, relaxed and then did some cookin of our own… In the evening we sat beside the fire and unwound… Yes, it’s wonderful to get a moment alone with the one you love. It’s important because every time my wife and I manage such rare occasions together, it reminds us of how much we truly dig each other.

The night’s sky was clearing and after several peaceful drinks, my wife went to the car, opened the hatch and put on one last Robert Cray song as an encore for the night. At a comfortable volume she cued up That’s What Keeps Me Rockin’… Under the stars, we danced blissfully and embraced as the fire burned brightly into the twilight evening’s air.

Back At Home

So there you have it. Now you know what I was up to this past weekend… How about you? Any moments that sparked your attention? Have you had the opportunity to listen to Robert Cray’s latest album This Time? Any moments in Cray’s illustrious musical career that strikes a chord with you? As usual your comments are always welcome.

TheBluesBlogger

The Robert Cray Band Tour Schedule

Below are some upcoming tour dates dates. Get out there if you have the opportunity. Cray and his band are great to witness live and the latest tour is getting fantastic reviews… For more information you can go to Robert Cray’s homepage by clicking here.

AUGUST

08-16-09 Paramount Theatre Charlottesville, Virginia
08-19-09 DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkson, Michigan
08-22-09 Last Ride Blues Festival Thief River Falls, Minnesota
08-24-09 The Pabst Theater Milwaukee, Wisconsin
08-25-09 Englert Theatre Iowa City, Iowa
08-27-09 Limestone City Blues Festival Kingston, Ontario
08-29-09 Roots Festival Paola, Kansas

SEPTEMBER

09-04-09 Naperville Last Fling Naperville, Illinois
09-05-09 Taste of Colorado Denver, CO
09-11-09 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
09-12-09 Columbia Park West Kennewick, Washington
09-18-09 Main 1 Arts Center Medford, OR
09-19-09 Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Stateline, Nevada
09-20-09 Mountain Winery Saratoga, California
09-23-09 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
09-24-09 The Coach House San Juan Capistrano, CA
09-26-09 Casino Ballroom Catalina Island, CA

OCTOBER

10-16-09 Sandler Center For Performing Arts Virginia Beach, Virginia

Tags: Blues News, Blues Reflections, New Releases, TBBW, The Grammys by The Blues Blogger
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“I didn’t record for six years from 1972 to ‘78. For about a year, I stopped playing completely. My landlord was a contractor, and I started doing work with him. My wife told me ‘this ain’t you, you’ve got to keep up with your music’ which I’m proud of her for telling me that.” ~Albert Collins

Late 1978

I remember the time very well… My parents owned a small convenience store and I lived in the two bedroom apartment above. I somehow convinced my mom to let me move up there when I was only 14. By 1978 I was already living there for close to 4 years. It wasn’t a free ride, I worked in the local record shop in addition to helping my parents out with the business. But on the evenings and weekends that pad above the grocery store became party central. I even devoted a whole room so my friends could jam. It wasn’t like the basement rehearsals we had in our house growing up in the sixties, but it did the trick…

It was at this point in time I had my largest collection of vinyl LP’s. Having my own apartment at such a young age was wild, and I remember for the first time really having the freedom to crank up the volume on some of those records in the evening. This is when I started digging the “cool sounds” of Albert Collins. And the album Ice Pickin’ was one of those records that got a lot of spins on the phonograph back then…

Albert Collins

was born on October 1, 1932, in Leona, Texas, but moved to Houston in 1941. A distant cousin of the legendary Lightnin’ Hopkins, Collins was influenced by the blues sounds of the Mississippi, Chicago, and especially Texas. In his early teens Collins gained inspiration listening to keyboardist Jimmy McGriff and began playing piano and organ… Switching to guitar at 18, he entered the blues scene with a unique sound and approach. Influenced by great blues artists such as T-Bone Walker, Gatemouth Brown and John Lee Hooker, Collins formed his own band in 1952 and packed the clubs around Houston.

In the early 1960s, Collins hit the airwaves big time with Frosty. This song was also known for having a young Johnny Winter and Janis Joplin in attendance in the studio while the song was being recorded. Other single releases like Sno Cone and Thaw Out were heavily played on R&B radio stations. In no time Collins was sharing stages with many of his idols.

In the mid 60’s Collins broke into the rock ‘n’ roll scene with three albums produced by members of Canned Heat, and shortly after played the San Francisco psychedelic circuit. Collins really got the recognition he deserved after he signed with Alligator Records and released Ice Pickin in 1978. It won the Best Blues Album of the Year Award from the Montreux Jazz Festival and was nominated for a Grammy.

Throughout the 80’s and early 90s Collins continued to tour worldwide. He gained further recognition and would go on to influence other artists such as Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jonny Lang, Susan Tedeschi and John Mayer.

Collins won the WC Handy Award for Best Blues Album of the Year in 1983 for his record Don’t Lose Your Cool and shared a Grammy with Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland for the album Showdown in 1985. He also performed at Live Aid alongside George Thorogood and the Destroyers at JFK stadium and was nominated for another Grammy in 1987 for Cold Snap. Also known as The Iceman and The Razor Blade, Collins feisty appearance in the 1987 movie Adventures in Babysitting, along with various television performances, brought his unique style and tone to an entirely new audience.

Albert Collins recorded his last album Live 92/93 after being diagnosed with cancer. Sadly another great blues master passed away later that fall in 1993. His legacy will forever live on in the music he leaves behind and the artists that he inspired both past, present and long into the future.

One of the greatest things I love about music is its ability to transport you back through time… Listening to Collins’ 1978 release Ice Pickin’ this past weekend after so many years was not only a cool reminder of the music legend’s magic, but a reflective look at some of my crazy teenage daze… Are you familiar with Albert Collins? Any favorite moments in Collins’ rich musical time line that you recall?

TheBluesBlogger

Tags: Blues Reflections, Reflections, The Seventies, The Sixties by The Blues Blogger
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“The blues are an integral part of jazz and all music today,” Over the past 20 years, San Jose Jazz has presented some of the greatest blues talent in the world and this year is no exception. This year’s line-up will please everyone from the casual listener to the most avid blues fan.” ~ Bruce Labadie, festival director

Blues Stage Showcases Rising Talent and Audience Favorites

I wanted to briefly mention to TheBluesBlogger readers that if you happen to live or be in the San Jose area this weekend Aug-7-9, 2009, then you don’t want to miss The 20th Annual San Jose Jazz Festival. The festival features world-class blues acts on the Main Stage in the Plaza de Cesar Chavez as well as an entire stage dedicated to blues located on San Fernando Street between Almaden Boulevard and Guadalupe Parkway.

The blues kick-start the festival Friday night with Leroy Bell and His Only Friends, and continue on the Main Stage Saturday with Black Joe Lewis, rising sensation from Austin, Texas… Bettye LaVette headlines the Blues Stage at 7 pm on Sunday, August 9th. An incredibly inspiring and soulful singer, LaVette brings her unique voice to the climax of the Blues Stage on Sunday night.

Saturday’s lineup is topped by Bay Area favorite Chris Cain. Black Joe Lewis makes a second appearance on the Blues Stage on Saturday as well. Inspired by the sounds of Otis Redding, Lightnin’ Hopkins and James Brown, his brash style will generate lots of energy and character to already colorful event… Lara Price and JC Smith will bring their powerful music to the festival over the weekend. Some of the best blues harmonica players in the Bay Area will also be featured in the Harmonica Blowout.

The Blues Stage

is sponsored by Budweiser, Stella Artois and KKUP-FM radio. The stage operates Saturday from 1 pm to 10 pm. And Sunday from 1 pm to 9 pm. Admission to the festival is only $15 a day.

Saturday August 8th

1pm: Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s
3pm: The Lara Price Blues Revue
5pm: JC Smith Allstars w/Fillmore Slim, John Broadway Tucker/Pat Wilder
7pm: Black Joe Lewis
9pm: Chris Cain

Sunday August 9th

1pm: Tip of the Top
3pm: Harmonica Revue featuring Gary Smith, Aki Kumar/David Barrett
5pm: Ron Thompson and the Resisters
7pm: Bettye LaVette

Summer is a memorable time of season for music. And my favorite part is the variety of festivals/events that take place. Events like The San Jose Jazz Fest help capture those special moments when you see a great band you’re familiar with, or the fantastic feeling of discovering a new talent you least expected… Will you get the opportunity to checkout the festival this year? Have you ever been to this event in the past? If not, now’s your chance… Please feel free to add your comments below.

TheBluesBlogger

About San Jose Jazz

San Jose Jazz, producer of the annual AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, is a public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting jazz through performance and education to enrich the lives of people in Silicon Valley. Proceeds from the performances help to support San Jose Jazz’s education and outreach programs as well as other year-round performances throughout Silicon Valley. For more on San Jose Jazz, please visit their website: jazzfest.sanjosejazz.org

Tags: Blues News, Festivals, Jazz News, Press Releases by The Blues Blogger
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